oh and now i defend!!!
the romantic relationships were not at all unrealistic. the kids are 16 (or 17). since when do average teenagers have terribly complex spiritual relationships foreshadowed with circle symbolism since the age of 11? exactly, they don't. they have hormones, they feel attracted to people and they feel happy when they're with the person they like. in the case of ron - i challenge you to find me an insecure 16 year old boy who will pass up the opportunity to have a rather physical relationship with a pretty girl who clearly thinks he's fantastic (or at least acts it to his face).
in harry's case: for those who think his attraction to ginny is rushed, may i just ask how long you need YOUR crushes to develop? harry took the better part of a year which i actually reckon is slow!! speaking as a teenager, i can sometimes just meet someone and think "hey, he's hot...let's see what happens now." or whatever.
now i shall vehemently challenge the idea that it was completely based on romance. although romance was certainly a way bigger factor than it has been in any book, i attribute it to the fact that they are now 15-17 and acting their age - and also to the fact that i bet it'll be pretty much ditched in bk7 in favour of action, action and action. this book was based on voldemort's backstory, the growing relationship between harry and dumbledore, and most of all on harry's growing maturity. we see the contrast of dumbledore telling harry not to worry because "you are with me" to him telling harry "i am not worried - i am with you." we see harry realising that he has made the choice to hunt voldemort and that he is walking into the arena with his head held high.
it's got character development and the interesting sideplots like malfoy's possible (hopeful) redemption. it's got a very interesting and morally ambiguous plot regarding snape and his future/current motives.
that is what harry potter and the HBP is about. not just romance!!
the adventure at the end was sinister rather than exciting and climactic - but JKR has said that bks 6 and 7 are like one book split in 2. i believe the lack of a "climax" in bk 6 is that bk 6 is pretty much laying the ground for a big climax in bk 7. so i'll forgive her for not that much action.
now onto personal opinions....
i thought the first chapter was hilarious and rather topical actually. especially the PM of britain waiting for a call from a president!! hahaha.
the title of the HBP may in fact hint at further snape significance...but otherwise i get your point, that certainly was the oddest title of the lot. like chamber of secrets is all about the chamber of secrets, the prisoner of azkaban is about the prisoner of azkaban and so on.
haha sorry for the monster post shinigamideathg, i love HP to death and this book is certainly among my favourites now!!
the romantic relationships were not at all unrealistic. the kids are 16 (or 17). since when do average teenagers have terribly complex spiritual relationships foreshadowed with circle symbolism since the age of 11? exactly, they don't. they have hormones, they feel attracted to people and they feel happy when they're with the person they like. in the case of ron - i challenge you to find me an insecure 16 year old boy who will pass up the opportunity to have a rather physical relationship with a pretty girl who clearly thinks he's fantastic (or at least acts it to his face).
in harry's case: for those who think his attraction to ginny is rushed, may i just ask how long you need YOUR crushes to develop? harry took the better part of a year which i actually reckon is slow!! speaking as a teenager, i can sometimes just meet someone and think "hey, he's hot...let's see what happens now." or whatever.
now i shall vehemently challenge the idea that it was completely based on romance. although romance was certainly a way bigger factor than it has been in any book, i attribute it to the fact that they are now 15-17 and acting their age - and also to the fact that i bet it'll be pretty much ditched in bk7 in favour of action, action and action. this book was based on voldemort's backstory, the growing relationship between harry and dumbledore, and most of all on harry's growing maturity. we see the contrast of dumbledore telling harry not to worry because "you are with me" to him telling harry "i am not worried - i am with you." we see harry realising that he has made the choice to hunt voldemort and that he is walking into the arena with his head held high.
it's got character development and the interesting sideplots like malfoy's possible (hopeful) redemption. it's got a very interesting and morally ambiguous plot regarding snape and his future/current motives.
that is what harry potter and the HBP is about. not just romance!!
the adventure at the end was sinister rather than exciting and climactic - but JKR has said that bks 6 and 7 are like one book split in 2. i believe the lack of a "climax" in bk 6 is that bk 6 is pretty much laying the ground for a big climax in bk 7. so i'll forgive her for not that much action.
now onto personal opinions....
i thought the first chapter was hilarious and rather topical actually. especially the PM of britain waiting for a call from a president!! hahaha.
the title of the HBP may in fact hint at further snape significance...but otherwise i get your point, that certainly was the oddest title of the lot. like chamber of secrets is all about the chamber of secrets, the prisoner of azkaban is about the prisoner of azkaban and so on.
haha sorry for the monster post shinigamideathg, i love HP to death and this book is certainly among my favourites now!!
